An ab workout could make your waist bigger, depending on your starting condition and what you're trying to accomplish. Your waist size says a lot about your overall health. If your waist is too big, it could lead to health complications, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer, according to MayoClinic.com. If your waist is too small because of health problems, genetics or lifestyle choices, working your abs could help increase your waistline.

Aerobic Ab Workout

If you want to lose waist size with an ab workout, implement an aerobic workout that will focus on burning calories and building muscle in your abdomen. Your aerobic routine should add up to at least 150 minutes weekly. Common aerobics that you can do to accomplish this include swimming laps, running at 8 mph, kick boxing, stationary rowing and jumping rope. Interval training, where you place bursts of increased activity throughout your workout will also help you lose fat in your stomach. For example, if you’re jogging at 4 mph for 30 minutes, every 2 minutes increase your speed to a run at 8 mph for 30 seconds.

Strengthening the Abs

While you’re losing fat around your waist through aerobic exercises, focus building your stomach muscles with strength training exercises. Crunches and sit-ups are a good exercise to do at least twice a week. Perform these 25 times for four repetitions. Perform leg lifts for at least twice a week. Leg lifts help to focus on strengthening your lower abdominal muscles, commonly overlooked by the traditional sit up. Perform leg lifts by laying on your back with your face looking at the ceiling. Lift your feet 3 inches from the floor and hold them for 5 seconds. Without touching the floor, lower your feet 20 times.

Losing Size In Your Waist

Losing around your waistline could be challenging. Many people tend to gain weight primarily in the stomach. Implementing an aerobic ab workout and strength training routine with a low-calorie diet can help you lose extra fatty tissue in your abdomen faster. Reduce your daily caloric intake by 500 calories and you will lose about a pound a week. Combined that with your exercise routine and you could lose more twice the amount. Use caution because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that losing more then 2 pounds weekly is considered unhealthy.

Try These Exercises!

Gaining Size In Your Waist

Gaining weight in your waist is most effectively accomplished through eating more calories, eating more frequently and strength training ab workouts, according to MayoClinic.com. If you are underweight because of a medical condition, do not implement a diet or exercise routine without first talking with your doctor.

About the Author

Diane Marks started her writing career in 2010 and has been in health care administration for more than 30 years. She holds a registered nurse license from Citizens General Hospital School of Nursing, a Bachelor of Arts in health care education from California University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science in health administration from the University of Pittsburgh.